The Director-General of Hereditary and Chronic Diseases Control, Dr. Mohammed Yahia Sa'eedi, has pointed out that the diseases covered by the Health Marriage Program cause social and health problems, in addition to the depleting the resources of the health sector. Besides, they add a great deal to the suffering of both patients and their families, especially those suffering from hereditary blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
This morning, while inaugurating a workshop for the officials authorized to perform civil marriages (Legal Maazoun), under the theme, “The Legal Maazoun's Role in Bringing Success to the Healthy Marriage Program”, organized by the Hereditary and Chronic Diseases Control Department over two days at Riyadh Palace Hotel, Dr. Sa'eedi said, “The Chairman of Thalassemia International Federation (TIF), Prof. Panos Englesoz once said to me: In your religion you shall find the sound solution. I have known no other religion stressing the protection of the offspring and human rights. The Holy Qur'an and the Hadith include great directives in this regard.”
Dr. Sa'eedi added, “One of the pillars upon which the Islamic Shari'a is based is (Achieving good, and warding off evil). Besides, it encourages men to choose prolific wives. Based on this essence, the examinations conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) are highly important for the whole community.”
“The Health Marriage Program is reckoned a societal program,” he continued. “Therefore, it is necessary to promote the role of the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. In this spirit, we have been placing particular emphasis on legal maazouns, since we are well aware of their important and effective role in conveying correct information. They are opinion-makers, and their opinions are very well listened to.”
Dr. Sa'eedi went on to sayd, “The program has already taken momentous steps towards raising people's awareness, especially couples about to marry.” He lauded the palpable result of the program, brought about by providing medical counsel. He said, “The rate of response to medical counsel was 9% when the program was first launched seven years ago. To date, this rate has leapt to 55.9%, and we're looking forward to attaining 100%.”
For his part, the Director-General of Legal Maazouns, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Babtain, said, “One of the grand grace Allah bestowed upon us is that He created for us wives from among ourselves, that we may find response in them, and he has put between us affection and mercy. Islam reckons marriage one of the basic pillars of the society. It is a strong and firm covenant for people's rights and duties. Consequently, the marriage contract is generally looked upon as one of the most authentic contracts, true to the words of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, who said, “One of the most pivotal conditions is that which legitimizes matrimony.” It is for this reason that the defects of the spouses, both the visible and invisible defects, should not be concealed. It almost beyond doubt that early Muslims were so honest that they didn't conceal anything they knew about themselves (birth defects, etc.). In doing so, they were proceeding from the fear of Allah, and the true Islamic spirit. On the passage of time, this spiritual aspect has diminished a great deal in people's souls. And this entailed taking precautionary measures seeking to ensure safety for both spouses and their offspring. Among these measures are those that have to do with birth defects and hereditary diseases. The Islamic Shari'a is undoubtedly the forerunner of this aspect, as it has put forward the rules and basics of maintaining a healthy society.”
Sheikh Al-Babtain added, “Following the directives of our Prophet, peace be upon him, and taking into account the great health boost which uncovered lots of contagious and hereditary diseases causing serious health problems afflicting the world, including our Kingdom, in a way that affects the health of individuals and communities, the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, May Allah protect him, has been always paying close attention to the health of those about to marry. In this spirit, a number of decisions have been taken to determine the mechanism of conducting medical examination on Saudis. Such decisions have stipulated optional examination for those interested. Certain instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Justice to facilitate this examination, and ensure better results.
“Based on the aforementioned circulations and instructions underscoring premarital medical examination,” Sheikh Al-Babtain concluded, “it has been opined that it is a good idea to bring together legal maazouns and the relevant MOH authorities, with the aim to heighten their awareness of the importance of this premarital examination.”